I think you are building a false construct comparing what I personally believe about the nail marks on Jesus’ body, which IS what you specifically asked me about. I think the scripture is very clear that Jesus was in his glorified state (he did suddenly appear to them, walked through a wall?). He, on several occasions encouraged them to look at and feel the wounds AFTER the resurrection. So, no, I don’t think I am giving myself a “bye” on this point while I “chastise” Catholics about the Eucharist or other doctrines. I do not ridicule or call them “silly” for believing what they do because I know, as a former Catholic, that we are to accept what we are taught, without questioning.
I think you may have problems with generalized comments like “Protestants make arbitrary choices” and “Catholics believe what Jesus said.” Because we both know these pat statements are not always true.
We could get into the difference between what main-stream Protestants and Catholics believe about the doctrine of Communion/Eucharist/The Lord’s Supper, but I’m pretty sure you wont be swayed from what you are comfortable believing and I wont be either. This topic has been bashed about many times on the RF. I see no need to go there again since the main topic of this post is concerning the titles of Mary. I assure you the inconsistency you think you see is not really there. I have never and will never ridicule nor ignore the word of God. It is the basis of faith and truth.
Be happy, but also know what you believe and why you believe it. Peace to you in the new year!
No one is denying that Jesus was in a glorified state. My issue is that you have very thin Scriptural evidence for assuming that Christ will choose to remain in that particular glorified state, with the marks of the crucifixion, “for all eternity.” He can remain in any form of glorified state He chooses- or change the form daily, if He chooses. Did he not glow more brightly as He was ascending into Heaven? Was that not a change in His glorified state from the day before?
I then pointed out the inconsistency of choosing to believe He will keep the marks based on the handful of scriptures, most of them not mentioning His glorified state or anything to do with eternity, that you cited. I then reminded you that you and others have taken Catholics to task for beliefs we have many, many scriptural passages to support.
I don’t have a problem with generalized or pat comments. The Protestant stance on Bible Alone is not consistent and is sometime arbitrary. I offered John 6:54 as a perfect example of that. The inconsistency IS there.
Catholics have as much scriptural proof that Mary was unique and special in her role in the redemption of man as you have for your belief that Christ will wear the marks of the crucifixion for all eternity. More, in fact. If you have chosen to ignore the words of John 6:54, then you have, in fact, chosen to ignore the Word of God, as it was faithfully recorded, preached, and lived by John himself— the apostle that Christ loved most.
Surely the Holy Spirit would inspire John, Christ’s favorite apostle to record Christ’s words and deeds correctly! Surely the early Church would teach and practice what John wrote correctly! He was still alive to tell them they were doing it wrong, had they been.
They were not wrong and Catholics are not wrong today. We take the words of Christ and live them as they were intended, as John and Peter and the other apostles lived them.
Catholics are not taught to believe without questioning. Maybe you were badly taught, however. It IS inconsistent to use the Protestant Bible if you love the word of God since mere men removed parts of it that they decided they didn’t like anymore, after hundreds of years. Wasn’t God’s Word perfect as it was first written? How dare men leave one word out! Much less whole passages, chapters and books! It’s “the basis of faith and truth.”
I am happy; I know very well what I believe. When I had doubts and questions, I went and found the answers. The Catholic Church has them all. It’s condescending to assume I (or any Catholic) haven’t examined or questioned, based on YOUR life and choices.
I say to you, out of love and concern, if you believe scripture is sacred, you should be reading the Catholic bible- the one with all the divinely inspired passages intact.